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Study: Certain Gastroenterologists Likely To Skimp On Biopsy Samples

Unfortunately, not all physicians follow these guidelines, and a new study points to one possible reason. The study , performed by U.S.-based clinicians and published by the European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, used a large national database to identify all adults who had endoscopies and biopsies for celiac disease between 2006 and 2009. The researchers then analyzed those cases, which involved more than 92,000 people, to determine whether gastroenterologists who performed more endoscopies than the average tended to take fewer samples of the intestinal lining during each procedure. As it turned out, gastroenterologists with a higher procedure volume — in other words, who performed lots of endoscopies — did take fewer intestinal samples. Meanwhile, the study also found that gastroenterologists who worked more closely with other members of their medical specialty tended to take more samples, possibly because of peer-to-peer education. The authors note that most cases of celiac remain undiagnosed in the U.S., in part because too few physicians follow the guidelines calling for at least four samples of the intestinal lining. The moral of this story? If you’re undergoing celiac disease testing , try to choose a gastroenterologist who doesn’t perform tons of endoscopies, or one who works in concert with other gastroenterologists. And, stress during your pre-procedure visit that you expect the gastroenterologist to take at least four samples of your small intestine. Keep up with the latest in the celiac disease/gluten sensitivity world — sign up for my newsletter , connect with me on Facebook and Google+ , or follow me on Twitter – @AboutGlutenFree . Photo Getty Images/Rob Melnychuk

9 Things Gastroenterologists Need to Know About the Gut Microbiome

Here are nine things for gastroenterologists to know about the gut microbiome, according to Medscapes Y our Microbiome and You: What Clinicians Need to Know report. Questions to consider Can monitoring of the microbiome lead to prediction of disease? Can manipulation of the microbiome lead to prevention of disease? Research in the gut microbiome Gut microbes play a key role in energy metabolism and alteration of gut microbes can lead to disease. Altering bacterial species may allow control over metabolic rate. The connection between microbes and obesity and type I diabetes is being explored. Bacterial species are used in C. difficile treatment and prevention. The microbiome will potentially play a large role in combating antibiotic resistance. Questions to ask going forward What constitutes “normal” in the human microbiome? How does the manipulation of the microbiome affect health and disease? How can this information be applied to clinical practice? More Articles on Gastroenterology: